To the ever-growing art form that is African-American poetry we must now add the strong new voice of Brooklyn-born Vaughn T. Aiken

Originally born in Brooklyn, NY, Vaughn Troy Aiken’s family moved to the Bronx when he was 2 years old, which is where he resided until 2000. Vaughn is a product of the New York public school system and then went on to graduate from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1990. It was at Cardinal Hayes, where a young Vaughn Aiken began to gain knowledge of self and of his passion for working with others to make this world a better place. At Hayes, Vaughn spent much of his time working with children with disabilities, in a program designed to enrich the lives of those less fortunate. As a High School student, Vaughn showed maturity beyond his years as he began a career in Criminal Justice at the US Attorney’s Office, under the administration of Rudolph Giuliani, Esq. During this time, Vaughn concentrated on his passions for education, government, the arts, and African American history. Vaughn keenly understood that in order for the African American community to empower itself, we needed to have knowledge of where we’ve been and an understanding of where we’re going. Vaughn eventually moved on from the US Attorney’s Office and joined the US Marshals Service.

In 1996, as a result of Vaughn’s hard work and knowledge of the administrative side of the US Marshals Service, he was asked to oversee the Accountable Property Division within the Service. It was also at this time that Vaughn realized that there was something important that he needed to accomplish. Managing his time in an already hectic schedule, Vaughn returned to college, taking classes at night, and eventually earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from the prestigious City University of New York (CUNY). Vaughn remains very involved with the community. As a member of the Black Alumni Association, the Center for Workers Education Alumni, and the Latino American Alumni of CUNY, Vaughn works tirelessly to encourage people of color to obtain their college degree to better prepare them for the rigors of life. He is also very closely involved with local politics. He is the former Treasurer for State Senator Jose M. Serrano. He has also worked hard for other Democrats throughout the state of New York, such as Congressman Jose E. Serrano, former Senator Hillary Clinton, and former Borough President Fernando Ferrer. Vaughn has also had the pleasure of meeting former President Bill Clinton and the Honorable Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughter of the late, great Malcolm X.

Vaughn is still an employee of the US Marshals Service and is currently a resident of Alexandria, VA. Vaughn holds a second degree black belt in Bujinkan Ninjutsu. He has one beautiful daughter, Aza Noor Aiken. ( Revised September 2009 )

PoetryMy Soul is not for Sale! by Vaughn T AikenTitle poem...The Common Man by Vaughn T AikenPoetry from " My Soul is not for Sale!"...Succes by Vaughn T AikenFrom My Book "My Soul is not for Sale!"...One by Vaughn T AikenFrom the book entitled "My Soul is not for Sale!"...